Best Food Writing 2001 brings together, for the second year, the most exceptional writing culled from the past year’s books, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and web sites. Within its five sections—Stocking the Larder, Home Cooking, Someone’s in the Kitchen, Dining Around and Personal Tastes—read our best writers on everything from the year’s most celebrated chefs to extraordinary restaurant experiences, from the latest trends in ingredients and equipment to unforgettable memoirs inspired by cooking and eating. Neither cook nor food lover should be without this remarkable annual collection. Included are contributions by R.W. Apple, Jr., Amanda Hesser, Ruth Reichl, Jeffrey Steingarten, Jane and Michael Stern, Calvin Trillin, Gael Greene, Mimi Sheraton, Jonathon Reynolds, Eric Schlosser, and many others.
Holly Hughes has edited the annual Best Food Writing series since its inception in 2000. The author of Frommer's 500 Places for Food and Wine Lovers, she lives in New York City.
I came across an old copy of The Best Food Writing 2001 edited by Holly Huges in a discard pile at work and found a lot of compelling essays in the collection. There were a couple of pieces that I had come across in books earlier ("Today's Special" by David Sedaris and "The Trouble with Fries" by Malcolm Gladwell). Not to mention some articles by some well-known authors: Michael Lewis, Jeffrey Eugenides ("The Doner Party {umlauts over the "o"}, Calvin Trillin ("Desperately Seeking Ceviche"), and Paul Russell. But there were lots of entertaining new discoveries for me: "Toro, Toro, Toro" about tuna fishing in America by Jeffery Steingarten, "Who's in Christopher Walken's Kitchen?" by Andrew Goldman, "Lobsters at Five Paces, Knives and Egos Bared" by Rick Martin, "Food for the Crew" by Seattle author Greg Atkins of Canlis, "The Inkblot Test" by Robb Walsh, and "Rome Again" by Coleman Andrews. It seems that Alain Ducasse in particular haunted the year of 2001 with his prominence as "the" best chef in the world. All in all, a strong collection of writing-I skipped very few articles and enjoyed most.
I got this book from Sharon and wasn't sure about reading it, the concept seemed odd. But I'm glad I picked it up. For the most part I enjoyed the different essays on all aspects of food. I even know someone at work who I want to pass it on to since she really likes food & cooking, etc.. I must say there is a lot of meat eating in the book, which turned me off at times, but I realize most people love all that meat!!